Barnabas Health, Cigna to end contract

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August 15, 2012 at 1:52 PM

(Barnabas Health)

On Oct. 1, one of the largest health care systems in the state will no longer be in network with Cigna health insurance.

According to Barry Ostrowsky, president and CEO of Barnabas Health, negotiations with the Connecticut-based payer have ended, and the multiple hospitals in the system will no longer be part of Cigna's provider network.

"Barnabas Health is committed to participating in provider networks of various payers, and believes that doing so is important to give employers an opportunity to offer options to their employees," Ostrowsky said in an e-mail. "Barnabas Health works hard to maintain agreements with payers to remain in their provider network. It is disappointing for us when we are not able to maintain an agreement with a payer, despite our best efforts to offer appropriate and reasonable terms and market acceptable contract rates."

Ostrowsky said Barnabas would remain in network with all of the other major insurance plans.

A Cigna spokesperson said the company is "willing to continue discussions to reach a mutually-acceptable agreement that provides fair and reasonable reimbursement, protects the interests of our clients and customers and ensures they have access to high-quality doctors and hospitals at a competitive cost."